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The New York Appellate Division for the Third Judicial Department suspended an attorney for five years for misconduct in connection with the handling of the affairs of his aunt. He had her power of attorney and also was her attorney. There was a "protracted and contentious Surrogate's Court proceeding that continued for over seven years." The attorney, who was a beneficiary of the aunt's estate, agreed to reimburse the estate for unaccounted money and property totalling slightly under $2,400. The misconduct took place between 1992 and 1995.

The attorney had a long career in public service, no prior disciplinary record, had expressed remorse and cited several "serious personal problems" at the time of the misconduct. Nonetheless, the court concluded that he had admitted to "very serious professional misconduct." (Mike Frisch)